New signing for Latics

LIAM Ridgewell is in line to make his Wigan Athletic debut this weekend after securing a short loan move from American outfit Portland Timbers.

He has become Malky Mackay’s first signing as Latics boss, but will only be at the club for six-weeks until the new MLS season begins.

The former England Under-21s defender’s move - which had been expected for several days - is expected to be followed by the capture of a striker, as Mackay plots a way out of relegation trouble - starting with Saturday’s trip to Birmingham.

Ridgewell, 30, played more than 350 league games in England with Aston Villa, Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion, before moving to America last summer.

Mackay said: “As soon as we found out Liam was a possibility, we moved quickly. We have him until the start of the MLS season in mid-February and hopefully we can make good use of his experience in that time.

“He is a top-pro’ who has spent the majority of his career in the Premier League but he also knows this league inside out, having earned promotion with Birmingham and he will add the kind of experience that will be crucial to us at this time.”

Ridgewell will wear the number 27 during his stint with Latics and is set to face former club Birmingham on Saturday.